Burton Albion defender Ryan Delaney helped his loan side Cork City to a 2-0 win over Levadia Tallin in the first-round of the Europa League qualifers.

Delaney started and played the full 90 minutes as the League of Ireland table-toppers cruised to a first-leg away win in Estonia.

Garry Buckley and Steven Beattie got the goals as John Caulfield's side produced a commanding display.

Twenty-year-old Delaney, on loan until the end of the Irish season in October, has been instrumental in Cork's rise to the top of the league - and even managed to pick up the player of the month award for May.

The former Wexford Youths player was signed by Albion last summer on a two-year deal with the option of a third, but couldn't force his way into the Brewers defence last term before heading out on loan back to his native Republic of Ireland in January.

Delaney had originally been on loan from Albion until the end of June, but Cork were keen to extend his loan until the end of the season and eventually got a deal over the line earlier this month.

And Delaney's return to the side, after being sidelined for one game earlier this month because of injury, has seen Cork pick up maximum points from their league game away to Derry City and Thursday night's Europa League clash.

Ryan Delaney has been on loan at Cork since January (Image: Clint Hughes/Getty Images)

Next week's return leg at Cork's home of Turners Cross will give City the chance to advance through to the next stage of qualifying.

Cork still have to negotiate the second and third qualifying rounds before the play-off round, which then opens the door to the Europa League proper.